A close protection and training firm from Birkenhead has been recognised by the businessman and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis in a national weekly competition called Small Business Sunday.
The competition seeks to raise the profile of small business owners via the networking site Twitter, through the star of BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den. The company is automatically profiled on Theo’s website at www.theopaphitissbs.com, helping raise awareness for the services on offer.
The business owner, Harry Glover, pictured right, tweeted Paphitis with the message:
@TheoPaphitis Giving security support & advice to small business owners in Birkenhead and beyond ! http://www.primarius.co/about-us/ #SBS.
Theo responded with a re-tweet to his 429,000 followers. Since then the business’ Twitter following has increased by nearly 200, website views shot through the roof and the business has received messages of congratulations and goodwill.
Director Harry Glover said: “My business partner Pete Bray and I set up the Primarius business less than a year ago. We are based in the historic Hamilton Square, which is spectacular but as we are a relatively new business we have struggled with raising our profile. This all changed thanks to Theo Paphitis because we’ve had several hot leads already and meetings planned with other #SBS winners with whom we wish to collaborate. We are very grateful to Theo for picking us out because his action has boosted our business and given us some recognition in the community.”
The two men are Harry Glover (4/73 Sphinx Special OP Battery) and Pete Bray, pictured left (former 22 SAS) – who each have experience protecting VIPs, business owners and families in such regions as Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, South America, Europe and the UK, where they are based.
In 2005, Pete Bray was awarded a bronze medal by the Royal Humane Society in recognition for his bravery during an Atlantic row.
Primarius covers four areas of business – key-holding, close protection, resident security teams and training. The business is accredited by Edexcel and is a BTEC Approved Centre for the teaching of close protection and security awareness.
Any small business owner looking for a re-tweet from Theo should tweet him about their business between 5pm and 7.30pm on Sundays and include the hashtag #SBS. Six businesses are re-tweeted every Monday at 8pm and then invited to enter their profile on the website www.theopaphitissbs.com.
The initiative is sponsored by one of Paphitis’s businesses – Ryman Stationery – plus others including DHL, RAC Business, Barter Card and iLaw who offer services to winners. Recently introduced is the opportunity to ‘pitch’ for investment to Theo’s Dragon’s Den investments, such as Magic Whiteboard. Visit http://www.primarius.co/blog/
